Donations bring joy to Bellarine families

THE Portarlington Business Development Association (PBDA) has once again thrown its support behind the community, donating $700 to 20 families in the 3223 postcode.

The Christmas Gift program has been running for six years and has grown to see a number of business people and groups join in to support.

The donations allow families who need it the most to enjoy a Christmas everyone deserves.

PBDA president John Rae OAM paid tribute to the cause and praised the outstanding work Christmas Gift coordinator Geoff Henderson does.

“The past year was a most difficult year for many people and businesses due to the pandemic,” Mr Rae said.

“The final number of families in need reached 20 and as always our community responded.

“Geoff Henderson has done an amazing job… he meets with every family and establishes what the family would like. This will mean toys, clothes, food, payment of bills, school uniforms, glasses for our senior family members and whatever else is needed.”

The impact the donations have made on the recipients was monumental.

“To all involved in making the PBDA Christmas Gift possible, we would like to extend our most sincere and deepest thanks to you all. We couldn’t believe we were so lucky to be the recipients of such a generous gift, and it was an absolute treat for our family to chat about and decided what to spend the money on. It was the perfect ending to such an unusual and at times very stressful year. We would like to say a massive thank you for this amazing gift. We are so appreciative and grateful,” one of the recipients said.

“We can’t thank you enough and are amazed at the offer of the Christmas Gift program. We are extremely grateful and appreciate the generosity, it will help us so much,” another recipient added.

The 2020 contributors are as follows; Portarlington Golf Club, Portarlington/Drysdale Lions Club, Portarlington Mussel Festival, Oxygen College, Portarlington Business Development Association, Indented Head Group, Bellarine Bayside, Portarlington/Drysdale Community Bank, Portsde Pilates, Pier View Lolly Shop, Trewin Builders Pty Ltd, Perfect Again Breast Form, Kerry Cosmetic Revitalisation Clinic, an anonymous community resident and two anonymous businesses.